Has AI Figured Out Our Epidemic of Obesity, Metabolic Disorders, and Common Brain Disorders?

Over the past decade, I’ve proposed a new disease model to the medical and scientific communities. It is based on the idea that ultra-processed foods can harm the brain and, over time, may lead to a form of brain dysfunction I call Carbohydrate Associated Reversible Brain syndrome, or CARB syndrome.

The concept builds on the Affective Spectrum Disorder (ASD) disease model, a condition Harvard researchers Hudson and Pope proposed more than 20 years ago. They proposed that 14 common brain disorders are part of the same disease process. Because they never identified the triggers or pathogenesis of ASD, their concept died on the vine. Subsequently, the medical and scientific communities have largely overlooked the idea. My concept was almost identical to their ASD concept, except I determined the likely triggers and pathology of the condition, so I decided to change the name to CARB syndrome.

What Does AI Know?

You might expect artificial intelligence to know about CARB syndrome. Billions of dollars have gone into AI, and it now appears in nearly every part of modern life. Many people assume it knows almost everything. So, several years ago, I asked an AI system about CARB syndrome. Its answer reminded me of one of Kamala Harris’s speeches:

“Carb syndrome” can refer to a few different conditions, most commonly carb intolerance, metabolic syndrome related to high carbohydrate intake, or the emotional-eating-related carbohydrate craving syndrome. Carb intolerance involves digestive issues like bloating and diarrhea, while carbohydrate craving syndrome is a psychological condition driven by mood changes. High carbohydrate intake, particularly from starchy foods, is linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome.”

A Concise but Misguided Answer

The answer missed the point by a wide margin. When I recently resubmitted the question to AI, I received a two-page response detailing my proposed concept. AI has caught up because it is getting much better at collecting information that is already out there, and it draws on widely available information. AI is clearly incapable of making empirical observations, which require humans to study real-world patterns and draw connections. In that respect, humans have a huge advantage over AI.

When I used empirical observations to develop the CARB syndrome model, AI was clearly ignorant about my concept. I recently asked AI about CARB syndrome again, and I received a two-page summary that was basically just copied from my website. AI made sure to point out the limitations of the concept:

“While popularized by certain practitioners like Dr. Bill Wilson, it is not a formally recognized medical or psychiatric diagnosis within standard mainstream medicine (such as the DSM-5 or ICD-11). Instead, proponents use it as a conceptual framework to link metabolic dysfunction with overlapping neurological and psychological symptoms.”

Limitations of AI

Now I know what it’s like to be spanked by AI. This also demonstrates one of the limitations of AI. Today, the CARB syndrome concept is still widely unknown by the medical and scientific communities, in a similar manner to what happened with the ASD concept. Both concepts are round-world ideas in a flat world, and this information remains buried in the massive data of AI. AI cannot generate new medical or scientific concepts, nor can it effectively evaluate the validity of existing models. It is simply a massive waste basket of existing information.

I believe that CARB syndrome is harming many people in developed societies, mainly because medical and scientific communities have failed to recognize it. You can’t diagnose and treat something you are unaware of. Unfortunately, AI is not structured to change this dynamic. It is also incapable of spreading the word about a new concept that could significantly benefit mankind and society. In other words, unless you already know what you are looking for, AI will not regurgitate it. AI has access to massive amounts of information, but it really cannot use this knowledge to think in a human way.

AI Has Caught Up, But Not the Healthcare Field

Hudson, Pope, and I could be wrong. Our theories may have no real-world basis. However, I believe the CARB syndrome concept is unique in that it offers an explanation that ties together our current worldwide epidemics of obesity, metabolic conditions, and common brain disorders. Using this model could result in much better management of the many complex patients that exist in our modern world. I have yet to see another explanation that does the same. Theories can be supported but not be proved by scientific research, but such research can disprove them. If someone can disprove the concept of CARB syndrome, I can then relax and move on to other work.

For now, read the 22 symptoms of CARB syndrome and consider whether they apply to you or someone you care about. I’ve written a book about the condition titled Brain Drain. You can also send questions through my website, which includes more information about the concept.

I believe CARB syndrome is preventable and reversible, so you don’t need to wait for AI to catch up before acting! When I really think about it, if the concept has merit, it’s not AI that needs to catch up—it’s the medical and scientific communities!